Limits6a: Pieper to Bronxville: "unique knowledge" – don’t forget it (1909)

      This is a 4-part appendix to a previous blog series (Table of Contents in Part 1; Part 5) on "The Limits of Human Science" in the Synod's educational institutions. The previous posts presented Prof. Franz Pieper's address to Concordia–Milwaukee in 1901, and also compared Pieper's counsel for Valparaiso University in 1926 with the plans for the new "Luther Classical College" to open in 2025 in Wyoming [Part 5]. In 1909, 8 years after his address at Milwaukee, Pieper delivered another important dedication address that is worthy of study. It echoes much of what he said in 1901, but with some added points, and Pieper is always edifying. It had to be a joyous occasion for Pieper since he had earlier, in 1886, corresponded with Pastor J. H. Sieker to encourage him in his efforts to get this school opened.

      Concordia–Bronxville closed in August, 2021, an institution far different from when it first began. In 1909 it had a Synod leader in Pieper who guided it on the right course. But Bronxville drifted off course, as it seems practically all Concordia schools have done. — Many Concordias have closed, making it all the more important that the new "Luther Classical College" in Wyoming get it right from the beginning and always stay focused on the right priorities. What better way than to study and take to heart Pieper's counsel!

      Pieper demonstrates his knowledge of ancient history, world history. His overview was quite informative and interesting for me. He even calls out certain aspects of the fields of astronomy and theoretical philosophy as harboring "illusory knowledge". But his review of Apostle Paul's visit to Athens is most instructive, for it puts human knowledge in perspective.

      The following dedicatory address was published in Der Lutheraner 65 (1909, pp. 386-387 DE EN]: 

 

Concordia-Bronxville, now closed

Diverse knowledge and unique knowledge.

Address delivered at the dedication of

Concordia College at Bronxville, N. Y., by F. Pieper.

Like other educational institutions, our Concordia in Bronxville, the first buildings of which we are opening for use today, is intended to serve knowledge. The human spirit is formed and destined by God to know, that is, to take cognizance of things and to have knowledge of them. Knowledge also has great practical significance for man. It has rightly been said that “knowledge is power” and “knowledge is useful”.

Now knowledge is of many kinds. Let me first say a few words to you about the knowledge that belongs in this life.

There is historical knowledge. From existing documents and, to some extent, from tradition, we can gain knowledge of what happened long before our time and what people who lived centuries and millennia before us said and did. And this historical knowledge is useful. We know how highly Luther valued historical knowledge. He calls history the most excellent earthly teacher. He calls the “writers of history” the “most useful people” and their books “wonderfully useful for recognizing and governing the course of the world, indeed for seeing God's wonders and work”. — 

There is also linguistic knowledge. We can acquire knowledge of old and new languages. And the benefits are obvious. The knowledge of modern languages enables us to have an extended intercourse with present-day humanity. It has been calculated that a knowledge of German and English alone enables us to communicate with the fourth part of the last living human race. Knowledge of the old languages is not useless either. Apart from the fact that elements of the old languages have passed into newer languages, namely English, the knowledge of old languages enables us to recognize what the civilized world thought and did centuries and millennia ago. In recent times, a movement has begun to push into the background the study of ancient languages, especially the so-called classical languages, Greek and Latin, in higher educational institutions. We will not go along with this movement in our secondary schools. — 

There is also a scientific knowledge. It arises from the observation of things and facts that exist in the vast and wonderful realm of nature. Admittedly, much in this field is passed off as real knowledge, which is only illusory knowledge, human imagination. I need only remind you of the field of astronomy and theoretical philosophy. But there still remains a sum of real knowledge in the field of nature that is of great benefit to human life here on earth. — 

Finally, there is also a body of knowledge that has been called moral knowledge. This is the knowledge of an all-powerful, holy God and of the difference between good and evil or of civil justice, which is inherent in all human beings. This knowledge is also extremely useful. Without external, civil justice, it would be impossible for people to live together in a state. 

That, in brief, is the human knowledge that belongs to this life. But there is another kind of knowledge against which all the above-mentioned knowledge is out of the question…

- - - - - - - - - - -  Continued in Limits 6b  - - - - - - - - - - -

      The leader of the movement to establish Luther Classical College, Dr. Christian Preus, has emphasized a "classical" education from the beginning, including languages. We see from the above that this agrees with Pieper's emphasis. But will he agree with Pieper's points on "scientific knowledge"? There are signs that he may not exactly. — In the next Limits 6b we are treated to a wonderful overview of antiquity…